Tibetans rise up with City Hall

More than 60 Tibetan refugees and their supporters gathered at City Hall this morning in support of Tibetan National Uprising Day, a commemoration that drew the ire of China, whose embassy emailed City Councilors, accused them of meddling in China's internal affairs and urged them to reconsider flying the Tibetan flag. Charlottesville declined, and Mayor Dave Norris, left center, spoke on behalf of Tibetan independence.

Among the onlookers was former Councilor Rob Schilling.

"I don't think the city has any business getting into this," says Schilling. "I support Tibet, and I'm totally against oppressive China. But I think this should be done on private property." He adds, "What flag are they going to fly next?"

Others, like last year's City Council candidate Peter Kleeman, saw it as an opportunity to learn about the Tibetan community. City Councilor Satyendra Huja was pleased to see the event take place in front of the Free Speech Monument.

Speakers like Khenpo Ngawang Dorjee, left, from the Tashi Choeling Buddhist Center in Albemarle want to use the 2008 Olympics as an opportunity to pressure China and draw the world's attention to Tibet's plight of being invaded and occupied by its powerful neighbor. Dorjee was the fieriest speaker, even with his remarks translated from Tibetan.

He pointed to a flag with the Olympic symbol above a red field and compared it to the blood shed in Tiananmen Square when Chinese citizens sought greater freedom. "Free Tibet," he shouted.

Organizer Tseyang, right, president of the Tibetan Association in Charlottesville, fled from Tibet with her family in 1963, and asked that her last name not be used because of fear of retribution against relatives still living in Tibet.

The United States flag fluttered on a table with small Tibetan flags. Much as Americans feel about their flag, "We Tibetans have the same feeling when we see [the Tibetan] flag," said Tseyang in a choked voice.

A woman carrying a Tibetan flag wiped a tear from her eye.

33 comments

Ed in Greenbrier March 10th, 2008 | 7:55pm

Glad to see Rob Shilling standing up for the communists.

Janie March 11th, 2008 | 11:00am

Hmmmm-I'm not a Republican. I always make up my own mind and consider/vote for the "person".

Publius March 11th, 2008 | 10:54am

"Tibetan exiles and their supporters demonstrated in San Francisco; New Delhi; Kathmandu, Nepal; and Olympia, Greece, from where the Olympic flame is soon due to leave for Beijing." (Christian Science Monitor)

...and dear old Cville because a majority of us are not Republicans here. Take "a friggin class" on demographics if you don't get it.

Sick Of The Local Rambos March 12th, 2008 | 9:39am

China now has Charlottesville in their sights. And they have missiles capable of reaching us. :)

From wikepedia:
In 2005, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao's offered to hold talks with the 14th Dalai Lama on the Tibet issue, provided he dropped the demand for independence. The Dalai Lama said in an interview with the South China Morning Post "We are willing to be part of the People's Republic of China, to have it govern and guarantee to preserve our Tibetan culture, spirituality and our environment." A statement that was seen as a renewed diplomatic offensive by the Tibetan government-in-exile. He had already said he would accept Chinese sovereignty over Tibet but insisted on real autonomy over its religious and cultural life. Tibetan government-in-exile, called on the Chinese government to respond.[87] The move was seen to be unpopular with many Tibetans in exile.[87]

In January 2007 the Dalai Lama, in an interview on a private television channel, said "What we demand from the Chinese authority is more autonomy for Tibetans to protect their culture." He added that he had told the Tibetan people not to think in terms of history and to accept Tibet as a part of China.[88]

If flying a flag is progressive or liberal, then China, Russia and Cuba are both liberal and progressive. That's being far left, I think.

Janie March 10th, 2008 | 12:02pm

I feel for the Tibetan people. I'm also against what China has done. I agree with Shilling. The City should focus on the unfinished/full plate they have. Others beside the govt. of cville are willing to take this cause on.

Jim March 12th, 2008 | 11:44pm

I wonder what Chinese Communists would think of a mayor that is not elected by popular vote?

Cville Eye March 10th, 2008 | 3:08pm

"Others, like last year's City Council candidate Peter Kleeman, saw it as an opportunity to learn about the Tibetan community." Instead of City Council educating me about the Tibetan community, it would be a good idea if it took a course in Budgeting 101. I hope Ambassador Norris had Gary O'Connell outside with him where he could keep an eye on him; otherwise, O'Connell/Watts probably spent another $250,000 that the DP will have to find.

Janie March 11th, 2008 | 9:53am

Minority-You certainly summed it all up here. AMEN!

Jim March 12th, 2008 | 11:20pm

Quid pro quo I say. Hopefully Tibetans will now send money to Dave Norris and company so the potholes that jolt my car on a daily basis can be filled.

Actually Charlottesville is being seen as progressive and I am proud of what City Council has done. If that is liberal then liberalize me. It costs no money, shows character and courage. Sorry that you don't find those values worth striving for.

theironsuperfly March 10th, 2008 | 2:43pm

Does the City of Charlottesville know that this will make them a laughing stock of the state of Virginia. I urge all residents of Charlottesville to vote the so called progressives out of office in the next city council election next year.

gompo March 14th, 2008 | 10:02am

can u put more photo,please so i can show it to my friend and teacher, have a nice day and good luck

Then came 9/11. The Bush Administration, seeking to avert a Chinese veto of its invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq in the U.N. security council, drafted China into its ¢Ã¢â??Â¬Ã?â??war on terrorism¢Ã¢â??Â¬ by granting it a free pass to beat up its Tibetans and Uyghurs.

Rick March 10th, 2008 | 1:37pm

Wait until they start flying the Venezuelan flag in support of Hugo Chavez...it's only a matter of time before the liberal kookburgers of Cville think of that.

Publius March 11th, 2008 | 8:51am

Republicans love communists. They admire their hot totalitarian ways.

A cville minority March 11th, 2008 | 9:21am

There is a difference between standing up for the communists and DOING THE JOB YOU WERE HIRED TO DO. This is a private matter for which there are avenues available to have a peaceful demonstration. It is unethical for the council members to force their beliefs on the entire populace. There may be some Chinese rseidents in town who beg to differ. Suppose next year they demand equal representation.... oh thats right the council does not AGREE with their side so they get pushed away.

Fix the potholes...

Let PRIVATE groups demonstrate.

Take a friggin class on government at Walker or Buford if you don't get it...

Cville Eye March 11th, 2008 | 11:01am

Publius, is your point that, in Charlottesville, non-Republicans are monkey-see-monkey-doers? Where on Earth is there a class on demographics or is it that you don't understand the meaning of the word? Snippy, snippy.

Publius March 11th, 2008 | 11:04am

My point is, we run this town. If you don't like it, too bad. Sucks to be in the minority, doesn't it?

Cville Eye March 11th, 2008 | 11:21am

Publius, it feels good not to have the dog mentality of having to be in a pack in order to validate an opinion. Who are "we?" Are you a member of Gary O'Connell's staff?

Cville Eye March 11th, 2008 | 11:21am

Did Obama or Clinton attend a rally yesterday?

Cville Eye March 11th, 2008 | 11:33am

Publius, thinking again about that silly "minority" comment: the media reported that about 60 people out of 125,000+ people in Albemarle and Charlottesville marched yesterday. This represents a majority of what? Perhpas you are the one that needs a class in demographics, if you can find one.

Janie March 11th, 2008 | 11:34am

Publius-What a pathetic/insecure and egotistic come-back on your part. Are you saying the govt. officials-city shouldn't recognize or respect the views of another opinion, this issue? This is not govt. according to Jeffersonian principles.

A cville minority March 11th, 2008 | 2:12pm

The majority does not rule. The majority sets the rules within the framework of the Constitution. This point is important. The Council does not have the RIGHT or POWER to speak for ME. Suppose the Council were able to get a majority vote to support the KKK, do you think that would be ok? I say again what about the rights of the chinese residents wwho disagree with tibets version of events? Right or wrong they are being lumped in by their address as supporting one governemnt over another.

Fix the Potholes and Schools. The Council office is not a bully pulpit for your liberal agenda.

Janie March 11th, 2008 | 3:24pm

Amen Minority! God bless you too!

Cville Eye March 11th, 2008 | 6:17pm

twoside sam, thanks for the input. The complexities of foreign policy are best sorted out by a full branch of the federal government that is dedicated to these problems. Others will often find themselves becoming unwitting pawns.